Convertible table-easel assembly



June 18, 1957 P. P. BISHOP 2,795,391

CONVERTIBLE TABLE-EASEL ASSEMBLY I Filed April a. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. pgzdv P. B\$HQP l ATTORNEYS P. PIBISHOP CONVERTIBLE TABLE-EASEL ASSEMBLY June 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed, April 6, 1956 IN VEN TOR.

PERQY F BiSl-IOP CONVERTIBLE TABLE-EASEL ASSEMBLY Percy P. Bishop, Portland, Maine Application April 6, 1956, Serial No. 576,595

Claims. (Cl. 45-131) This invention relates generally to drawing tables and easels or the like and is more particularly concerned with a convertible table-easel assembly.

Drawing or sketching tables and frame easels generally available to the professional and amateur artistconstitute a considerable investment and generally take up a considerable amount of space. I

A primary object of invention is to provide a novel convertible table-easel assembly providing both a drawing or sketching table and frame easel including means for readily converting the same for either use.

A more specific object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide a novel convertible tableeasel assembly including a support frame hingedly supporting a vertically pivotal table top adjustable at ditferent angles of vertical disposition at a lower edge portion thereof and including a displaceable easel bracket positionable over a lower edge of the table top for supporting a lower edge portion of material vertically disposed on the table top when the same is used as an easel.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in a convertible table-easel assembly of the character involved a removable clamp assembly extending transversely of the table top for engaging an upper edge portion of material juxtaposed on the outer surface of the table top when the same is used as an easel and including a straight edge portion thereon wherein the clamp assembly substantially provides a T-square on the table top when the same is used as a sketching or drawing table.

And yet another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide a novel convertible tableeasel assembly which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used and maintained, and highly practical, serviceable and acceptable for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter ,described and claimed, reference being had to the accompany drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

' Figure l is a perspective view of the novel convertible table-easel assembly, showing the manner in which the assembly may be used as an easel;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the novel assembly, portions being broken away and shown in section for clarity, showing in phantom lines the manner in which the assembly may be used as a sketching or drawing table;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the novel assembly, with portions broken away and shown in sec tion for clarity, showing the assembly in a position of use as a drawing or sketching table;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of Figure 3, showing the alternate positions of the easel bracket of the novel assembly;

2,795,891 Patented June 18, 1957 "ice Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 5--5 of Figure 3, with an intermediate portion of the assembly broken away; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view looking substantially from line 66 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the novel convertible table-easel assembly is indicated generally at 10 including a support frame indicated generally at 12, a table top indicated generally at 14, an adjustable brace assembly indicated generally at 16, a displaceable easel bracket 18, and if desired a removable clamp assembly indicated generally at 20.

The support frame 12 includes suitably vertically extending legs 22, 24, 26 and 23 which have suitably secured on an intermediate outer surface portion thereof transversely extending brace elements 30 which may have conveniently secured in any suitable manner thereon a panel member forming a lower support shelf 32. Extending between oppositely disposed outer surface portions of the legs 22 and 24 at the upper ends thereof is a transverse end frame element'34, and extending between the legs 26 and 28 adjacent the upper ends thereof is a similar oppositely disposed end brace frame element 36. Extending between upper ends of the legs 24 and 26, and 22 and 28 are side frame elements 38 and 40, respectively, said frame elements 34 through 4t being secured in any suitable manner to said leg members. Thus the support frame has an open top portion, the upper edges of the elements 34 through 49 provide a support edge for the table top 14 when the same is used as a drawing or sketching table.

The table top 14 comprises an uninterrupted substantially rectangular panel member 42 of any suitable material, and may be disposed in various adjusted positions similar to Figure 1 when the assembly is being utilized as an easel, or may be disposed in the position shown in Figure 3, for example, when the assembly is utilized as a drawing or sketching table. Suitably secured in transverse relationship on the lower surface of the panel member 42 is one leaf of an elongated piano hinge 44 being located adjacent or in parallel relationship to that edge 46 of the table top which for purposes of description will be described as the lower edge. The piano hinge 44 has the other leaf thereof, see Figure 4, secured to a vertical surface portion of the frame element 34 and accordingly the table top is pivotal about the vertical pivot axis of the piano hinge 44 in a manner shown, for example, in Figure 2.

Suitably secured on a lower surface portion of the panel member 42 in substantially parallel relationship to the piano hinge 44 is a second piano hinge 48, see Figure 2, which has one leaf thereof suitably secured to an upper end portion of an elongated post member 54) of the brace assembly 16. The post member 50 includes in the surface portion 52 thereof a plurality of transversely extending downwardly opening notch portions 54 which are re-' movably engageable with a transverse abutment rod 56 extending between the side frame elements 38 and 40, it being noted that the transverse abutment rod 56 is disposedin substantially parallel relationship to the pivotal axis of the hinges 44 and 48. If desired, a second transverse abutrnent rod 58 may be suitably secured in spaced relationship from the rod 56 also engageable with the notch portions 54 of the post member 52 providing an additional range of adjustment for the pivotal table top.

The easel bracket 18 comprises a substantially elongated body portion 60 having extending longitudinally in a surface portion thereof a longitudinal groove portion 62 which conforms to the edge 46 of the table top to be positioned thereover in the manner clearly shown in Figure 4. Extending upwardly from the body portion 60 in spaced relationship from the groove 62 is a longitudinally extending flange rib 64 defining with the upper surface 66 of the table top a longitudinally extending groove or tray portion 68 for receiving therein the lower edge portion of material juxtaposed on the outer surface of the table top when the same is used as an easel. The body portion 60 has extending into the end portions thereof suitable fastening elements 70 of any suitable character which have secured thereon one end of a tension spring 72 the other end of which being retained on the edge of the panel member 42 by means of suitable fastening elements 74, and thus the easel bracket 18 is displaceable to a position shown by the solid lines of Figure 4 wherein said bracket is disposed beneath the lower surface of the table top. The tension springs 72 are of sufficient strength to retain thereon the weight of material such as an artists canvas when the assembly is utilized as an easel.

The clamp assembly comprises an elongated body port-ion 76 including an upwardly and angularly directed flange portion 78 normally directed toward the easel bracket 18, said flange being engageable with the upper edge of material supported on the table top when the assembly is utilized as an easel. The opposite edge of the body member 76 indicated at 78, see Figure 6, converges toward the upper surface of the table top defining a straight edge available for use especially when the assembly is utilized as a drawing or sketching table. The body member 76 has secured at opposite ends by means of suitable screw elements 80, for example, L-shaped clamp assemblies indicated generally at 82 which include a downwardly extending leg portion 84 terminating in inwardly directed leg portions 86 which have extending transversely therethrough in a suitably internally threaded aperture portion threaded, shaft element 88 having clamping head portion 90 engageable with an undersurface portion panel member 42 of the table top adjacent the side edge portions thereof. The opposite end of the screws 88 have a suitable transverse finger manipulable head 92, and when the screws 88 are loosened the clamp assembly 20 may be removed from the novel assembly or the same may be slidably moved transversely along the upper surface of the table top. The body member 76 includes integral side flange portions 94 which are at right angles relative to the straight edge portion 78 of the body member 76 this portion when engaged with an adjacent side edge portion 96 of the table top providing a T-square on the assembly.

Thus there has been disclosed a novel convertible tableeasel assembly which fully conforms with the objects of invention heretofore set forth.

Various positional directional terms such as upper, lower, etc. utilized herein to have only relative connotation to aid in describing the device and it is not intended to require any particular orientation with respect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construct-ion and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A convertible table-easel assembly comprising an elevated support frame, a table top including hinge means pivotally connecting an undersurface portion of the table top adjacent one edge thereof to an end portion of the support frame for vertical pivotal movement thereon, an adjustable brace assembly extending from an undersurface portion of the table top in spaced relationship from said hinge means, abutmentmeans on said frame detachably engageable with the brace assembly for retaining the table top in different positions of vertical angular iadjustment about the hinge means and permitting horizontal disposition of the table top on said frame, and a displaceable easel bracket extendable from the edge portion of the table top adjacent the hinge means for engaging the lower edge portion of vertically disposed material on the outer surface of said table top when the same is utilized as an easel, said support frame including an open top portion, the abutment means comprising a transverse rod extending across the open top of said frame in parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of the hinge means, said adjustable brace assembly including an elongated post member pivot-ally secured to an undersurface portion of the table top on an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the first mentioned hinge means, and a plurality of spaced transverse notch portions on the post member removably engaging the transverse abutment rod providing increments of vertical adjustment for said table top about the first mentioned hinge means, the frame and rod defining guide means between which the post member may extend when the table top is vertically adjusted.

2. A convertible table-easel assembly comprising an elevated support frame, a table top including hinge means pivotally connecting an undersurface portion of the table top adjacent one edge thereof to an end portion of the support frame for vertical pivotal movement thereoman adjustable brace assembly extending from an undersurface portion of the table top in spaced relationship from said hinge means, abutment means on said frame detachably engageable with the brace assembly for retaining the table top in different positions of vertical angular adjustment about the hinge means and permitting horizontal disposition of the table top on said frame, and a displaceable easel bracket extendable from the edge portion of the table top adjacent the hinge means for engaging the lower edge portion of vertically disposed material on the outer surface of said table top when the same is utilized as an easel, said table top comprising a rectangular panel member, the displaceable easel bracket comprising an elongated member including an elongated longitudinal groove portion extending into one surface portion thereof engageable over the edge portion of the table top adjacent the hinge means, said elongated member including a longitudinal flange portion in spaced relationship from the groove portion thereof forming a longitudinally extending tray portion adjacent the outer surface of the table top, and tension springs extending from opposite end portions of the elongated member and spaced side edge portions of the table top retaining the easel bracket on the table top edge and permitting the easel bracket to be disposed beneath said table top.

3. A convertible table-easel assembly comprising an elevated support frame, a table top including hinge means pivotally connecting an undersurface portion of the table top adjacent one edge thereof to an end portion of the support frame for vertical .pivotal movement thereon, an adjustable brace assembly extending from an undersurface portion of the table top in spaced relationship from said hinge means, abutment means on said frame detachably engageable with the brace assembly for retaining the table top in different positions of vertical angular adjustment about the hinge means and permitting horizontal disposition of the table top on said frame, a displaceable easel bracket extendable from the edge portion of the table top adjacent the hinge means for engaging the lower edge portion of vertically disposed material on the outer surface of said tabletop when the same is utilized as an easel, and a removable clamp assembly extending transversely across the outer surface of the table top in substantially parallel relationship to the displaceable easel "bracket, said clamp assembly including an elongated lonelevated support frame, a table top including hinge means pivotally connecting an undersurface portion of the table top adjacent one edge thereof to an end portion of the support frame for vertical pivotal movement thereon, an adjustable brace assembly extending from an undersurface portion of the table top in spaced relationship from said hinge means, abutment means on said frame detachably engageable with the brace assembly for retaining the table top in different positions of vertical angular adjustment about the hinge means and permitting horizontal disposition of the table top on said frame, a displaceable easel bracket extendable from the edge portion of the table top adjacent the hinge means for engaging the lower edge portion of vertically disposed material on the outer surface of said table top when the same is utilized as an easel, and a removable clamp assembly extending transversely across the outer surface of the table top in substantially parallel relationship to the displaceable easel bracket, said clamp assembly including an elongated longitudinally extending flange portion extending toward the easel bracket for engagement with an upper edge portion of sheet material disposed on the table top when the same is utilized as an easel, said clamp assembly including a straight edge portion extending toward the outer surface portion of the table top defining a straight edge thereacross, and clamp members extending from opposite end portions of the clamp assembly including adjustable clamp means engaging the undersurface portion of the table top.

5. A convertible table-easel assembly comprising an elevated support frame, a table top including hinge means pivotally connecting an undersurface portion of the table top adjacent one edge thereof to an end portion of the support frame for vertical pivotal movement there on, an adjustable brace assembly extending from an undersurface portion of the table top in spaced relationship from said hinge means, abutment means on said frame detachably engageable with the brace assembly for retaining the table top in different positions of vertical angular adjustment about the hinge means and permitting horizontal disposition of the table top on said frame, a displaceable easel bracket extendable from the edge portion of the table top adjacent the hinge means for engaging the lower edge portion of vertically disposed material on the outer surface of said table top when the same is utilized as an easel, and a removable clamp assembly extending transversely across the outer surface of the table top in substantially parallel relationship to the displaceable easel bracket, said clamp assembly including an elongated longitudinally extending fiange portion ex tending toward the easel bracket for engagement with an upper edge portion of sheet material disposed on the table top when the same is utilized as an easel, said clamp assembly including a straight edge portion extending toward the outer surface portion of the table top defining a straight edge thereacross, and clamp members extending from opposite end portions of the clamp assembly including adjustable clamp means engaging the undersurface portion of the table top, said clamp members including a vertical portion normal to the straight edge portion of said clamp assembly engageable with the side edge portion of the table top providing a T-square reciprocably supported on said table top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 783,973 McAnelly Feb. 28, 1905 1,286,018 Jones Nov. 26, 1918 1,507,384 Knowlton Sept. 2, 1924 1,655,798 Richards Jan. 10, 1928 2,156,404 Sinclair May 2, 1939 2,194,889 DeLisle Mar. 26, 1940 2,256,372 Chabon Sept. 16, 1941 2,436,773 Lambert Feb. 24, 1948 2,508,470 Ritter May 23, 1950 2,729,018 Morgan Jan. 3, 1956 

